John Craig and the Providence of God
A trust in the providence of God redefines how we think about what is and what isn’t possible. Take, for example, the story of A trust in the providence of God redefines how we think about what is and what isn’t possible. Take, for example, the story of John Craig.
Before he ever stood beside John Knox as a fellow minister of the gospel, Craig was a Dominican monk living in a monastery in Bologna. One day, he stumbled across a copy of Calvin’s Institute. That book turned his world upside down. God used it to bring Craig to faith and into the Reformation.
It wasn’t long before the authorities caught wind of his “heresy.” He was arrested and sent to Rome, where he was condemned to be burned alive. But the night before his execution, the Pope died. And in keeping with custom, the doors of the prisons were thrown open. Everyone was released—except the heretics. They were marched outside the walls only to be brought back in.
But that night, a riot broke out. In the confusion, Craig and a few others managed to escape.
They hadn’t gone far when soldiers caught up with them at a roadside inn. The officer in charge locked eyes with Craig and asked, “Do you remember helping a wounded soldier near Bologna?” Craig didn’t. “I do,” the man said. “That was me. I owe you my life—and now I’m repaying it. You’re free to go. I’ll take your companions back, but I’ll treat them well for your sake.” He handed Craig every coin he had and let him go.
Craig kept moving, but before long, the money ran out. Broke and alone, he collapsed at the edge of a forest, full of fear and uncertainty. And then, of all things, a dog ran up to him with a purse in its mouth. Craig tried to shoo it away, assuming something was off. But the dog wouldn’t leave. Finally, he took the purse—and inside was enough money to get him all the way to Vienna.
Whatever situation you are in, if you belong to Him, He is working towards some good end for you and others. Trials perfect the believers. Difficulties often set the stage for praise-inducing acts of providence. God won’t deliver you through all troubles, but He will shape you—and eventually call you home..
Before he ever stood beside John Knox as a fellow minister of the gospel, Craig was a Dominican monk living in a monastery in Bologna. One day, he stumbled across a copy of Calvin’s Institute. That book turned his world upside down. God used it to bring Craig to faith and into the Reformation.
It wasn’t long before the authorities caught wind of his “heresy.” He was arrested and sent to Rome, where he was condemned to be burned alive. But the night before his execution, the Pope died. And in keeping with custom, the doors of the prisons were thrown open. Everyone was released—except the heretics. They were marched outside the walls only to be brought back in.
But that night, a riot broke out. In the confusion, Craig and a few others managed to escape.
They hadn’t gone far when soldiers caught up with them at a roadside inn. The officer in charge locked eyes with Craig and asked, “Do you remember helping a wounded soldier near Bologna?” Craig didn’t. “I do,” the man said. “That was me. I owe you my life—and now I’m repaying it. You’re free to go. I’ll take your companions back, but I’ll treat them well for your sake.” He handed Craig every coin he had and let him go.
Craig kept moving, but before long, the money ran out. Broke and alone, he collapsed at the edge of a forest, full of fear and uncertainty. And then, of all things, a dog ran up to him with a purse in its mouth. Craig tried to shoo it away, assuming something was off. But the dog wouldn’t leave. Finally, he took the purse—and inside was enough money to get him all the way to Vienna.
Whatever situation you are in, if you belong to Him, He is working towards some good end for you and others. Trials perfect the believers. Difficulties often set the stage for praise-inducing acts of providence. God won’t deliver you through all troubles, but He will shape you—and eventually call you home.
The term 'providence' seemed to fall out of favor sometime in the past century or two. But I still have a great fondness for it.
One of the books we had our children read in homeschool was William Bradford's 'Of Plimouth Plantation'. We even gave our third son the middle name Bradford, because I so loved the Plymouth Governor's emphasis on God's providence in his history of the Mayflower Separatists working to forge a new life in a new world.
Many western Christians today have little experience having to really walk with God and trust Him and His provision, every step along the way. We live in a coddled era where a canceled flight at Heathrow would seem a major hardship, never mind months bobbing on the open ocean in a tiny ship.
In many ways, Christians are victims of our forefathers' success; we have received so many of God's blessings that we rarely notice, let alone give thanks. But I suggest returning to a daily practice of giving thanks for God's continued providence could well be an important step in recovering God's guidance and purpose for our lives.
Very stirring. Thank you.
To note: the article is duplicated in this post